Sine of 72 Degrees

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Theorem

$\sin 72 \degrees = \sin \dfrac {2 \pi} 5 = \dfrac {\sqrt{10 + 2 \sqrt 5} } 4$

where $\sin$ denotes the sine function.


Proof

\(\ds \sin 72 \degrees\) \(=\) \(\ds \sqrt {1 - \cos^2 72 \degrees}\) Sum of Squares of Sine and Cosine
\(\ds \) \(=\) \(\ds \sqrt {1 - \paren {\dfrac{\sqrt 5 - 1} 4}^2}\) Cosine of $72 \degrees$
\(\ds \) \(=\) \(\ds \sqrt {1 - \dfrac {6 - 2 \sqrt 5} {16} }\)
\(\ds \) \(=\) \(\ds \dfrac {\sqrt {10 + 2 \sqrt 5} } 4\)

$\blacksquare$


Sources